The Qualities of a Real Christian

We must remember also that we do not grow into the likeness of Jesus all at once. We must study His life, and if we do not find in our life the qualities He possessed, then we must try to attain them. We have in the Scriptures a list of the things we should have in our lives. Let us go over them carefully and see how many we can really find in our own lives (Gal.5:22 – 23). These qualities are:

Love — Read the thirteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians.

Joy — Do you scatter joy and happiness wherever you go? Do you feel a joy in your heart because you are trying to live the Christian life? A Christian, even in the midst of trouble, should be glad, because he has Jesus near, and be able to have this Christian joy in his heart.

Peace — Are you disturbed by things that happen around us? Jesus is the only One who can give us, and keep us in, perfect peace. We are told we must keep our mind on God, then we can obtain peace.

Longsuffering — Can you tell how Paul suffered for the Lord and yet never complained? He was glad to do it, and was happy and rejoiced, even in the midst of deepest persecution.

Gentleness — We learn this lesson from our mothers. How gentle they are and kind.

Goodness — Trying always to do the right thing.

Faith — Always believing in God … even though other people do not. Trusting in Him at all times as we trust in our parents.

Meekness — Not boastful and desiring the best place, but doing our best without boasting and wanting to be seen. Being silent when others are having an argument, unless we know our word is true and will not add to the strife.

Temperance — How we need to study this question now when so much temptation is being placed in our path. Let us try to be temperate in all things.

Taken from an old book, “The Most Useful KNOWLEDGE for the Orthodox Russian-American Young People,” compiled by the Very Rev’d Peter G. Kohanik, 1932-1934.